Jim Risch on Tax Reform

Republican Challenger; former Governor

High priority on keeping lower individual tax rates

A: Taxes should be assessed at the lowest possible level to both adequately fund the federal government and encourage savings, investment and economic growth.

Q:
Would you vote to make permanent the lower individual tax rates enacted in 2001 and 2003, which benefit small businesses that pay the individual rate, without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?

A: Yes; this is one of my highest priorities.

Source: BIPAC 2008 Senate Candidate Questionnaire
, Nov 1, 2008

Eliminate capital gains tax & estate tax

Q: Would you vote for the permanent repeal of the estate tax without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?

A: Yes.

Q: Would you vote to make permanent the current lower rates on dividend income from individuals without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?

Q: Would you vote to make permanent the current lower rates on individual capital gains income without offsetting tax increases (PAYGO)?

A: Yes.

Source: BIPAC 2008 Senate Candidate Questionnaire
, Nov 1, 2008

I’ll drop out if I got $53,000 in undisclosed tax relief

Jim Risch said he would drop out of the race if an accusation over property taxes made by challenger Larry LaRocco turned out to be true. The issue is whether Risch got $53,000 in tax relief last year.

LaRocco said, “When he was governor he passed
a property tax relief bill where he personally benefited at least $53,000, but he never disclosed it to the people of Idaho,” said LaRocco.

“Well, if I got $53,000 out of that bill, I’ll drop out of this race and if you’re wrong you should do the
same,“ said Risch.

NewsChannel 7 took a look; we found 13 pieces of property that would fall under the 2006 tax relief umbrella. According to LaRocco’s property valuation, Risch totaled $53,295 in tax breaks. But some of Risch’s property falls under
Idaho’s agricultural exemption which means it’s used for farming or grazing--and that makes the property value much lower. Using the same math with the lower agriculture value numbers, Risch actually got a relief of little more than $5,000.

Earned nickname “taxpayers friend” by fighting tax increases

As governor I called a special session of the legislature to put a stop to skyrocketing property tax increases. After years of effectively fighting tax increases in the state senate I have earned a name I am proud of “the taxpayers friend.”

Phase out sales tax on groceries & food

Gov. Risch outlined his plan to remove the sales tax from food. Risch said removing the sales tax on groceries is the right thing to do. It is estimated that $100 is spent per Idahoan each year in sales tax on groceries. “This is something I worked
on when we lowered property taxes & increased the sales tax by a penny,” said Risch. Risch’s proposal calls for a phase out of the sales tax on groceries over a 6-year period. The net cost of the proposal would be $30 million for each of the next 6 years

Source: Press release, “Removing Sales Tax On Food”
, Dec 13, 2006

Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes.

Risch signed Americans for Tax Reform "Taxpayer Protection Pledge"

Politicians often run for office saying they won't raise taxes, but then quickly turn their backs on the taxpayer. The idea of the Pledge is simple enough: Make them put their no-new-taxes rhetoric in writing.

In the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents solemnly bind themselves to oppose any and all tax increases. While ATR has the role of promoting and monitoring the Pledge, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is actually made to a candidate's constituents, who are entitled to know where candidates stand before sending them to the capitol. Since the Pledge is a prerequisite for many voters, it is considered binding as long as an individual holds the office for which he or she signed the Pledge.

Since its rollout with the endorsement of President Reagan in 1986, the pledge has become de rigeur for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts.